EP4635346A1 - Electronic device and aerosol generation device - Google Patents

Electronic device and aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number
EP4635346A1
EP4635346A1 EP22968373.5A EP22968373A EP4635346A1 EP 4635346 A1 EP4635346 A1 EP 4635346A1 EP 22968373 A EP22968373 A EP 22968373A EP 4635346 A1 EP4635346 A1 EP 4635346A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
information
display
unit
detailed
aerosol
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22968373.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Takashi Fujiki
Ryo Yoshida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4635346A1 publication Critical patent/EP4635346A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an electronic device and an aerosol-generating device.
  • PTL 1 discloses an aerosol-generating device which, when an error signal generated by means of a control unit on the basis of data in response to a fault arising in a power source unit is received, outputs light and/or sound, for example, in accordance with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit may be a light-emitting device, such as an LED, for example.
  • PTL 2 discloses an aerosol-generating device in which a control unit generates an error signal based on contents and causes of abnormal states, and a notification unit provides a notification commensurate with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit is, for example, a light-emitting diode.
  • a cover may be attached to a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display, for the purpose of protection thereof, etc.
  • the cover may then have a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and may not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • the simple display unit may not be able to display detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed.
  • the objective of the present disclosure lies in making it possible to provide a user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
  • an electronic device comprising: a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  • the control unit may perform control so that the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information is displayed on part of the simple display unit.
  • the detailed display unit may be a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • the detailed display unit may be a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • the control unit may perform control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
  • the simple information may be information indicating that an error has occurred
  • the detailed information may be information indicating a reason for which the error has occurred.
  • an aerosol-generating device comprising: a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source by means of electrical supply from a power source, and a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  • the simple information may be information indicating a number of substrates smoked, and the detailed information may be information indicating a history of substrate smoking.
  • the power source may be a battery
  • the simple information may be information indicating an amount of charge of the battery
  • the detailed information may be information indicating a time until charging of the battery is complete.
  • the simple information may be information indicating the temperature of the heating unit, and the detailed information may be information indicating a heating profile of the heating unit.
  • the present disclosure makes it possible to provide a user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
  • Fig. 1A and 1B are overall perspective views of an aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment.
  • Fig. 1A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above
  • Fig. 1B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a front cover 10, a main body housing 20 to/from which the front cover 10 can be attached/detached, and a shutter 50.
  • the front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 are constructed as separate members.
  • the front cover 10 comprises a display window 60 and a display device 70 on a surface thereof.
  • each type of front cover 10 may be constructed using designs with different patterns and colors on the outside surface thereof, and using different materials, etc. A user may appropriately select a front cover of a type matching their preference.
  • the main body housing 20 accommodates a main body 30 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the main body housing 20 comprises an external connection terminal 80 such as a USB (universal serial bus) type-C connector.
  • the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to configure an outermost housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 can be made more fashionable.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises the front cover 10, so that even if the main body 30 generates heat, the heat released to the outside can be mitigated. That is to say, the front cover 10 functions to provide insulation from heat generated by a heating unit of the main body 30.
  • the front cover 10 is also formed so that the surface thereof is roughly a curved surface. When the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the front cover 10 then defines an internal space together with the surface of the main body housing 20.
  • the housing 40 should be of a size that fits in the user's hand.
  • the user holds the aerosol-generating device 1 in one hand, with fingertips in contact with the surface of the front cover 10. Furthermore, by pressing on the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingertips, the user can make the front cover 10 deform so as to indent toward the main body housing 20. As a result of such deformation of the front cover 10, a protrusion provided on the front cover 10 comes into contact with an operation button provided on the surface of the main body housing 20, and the operation button is thereby depressed. That is to say, the part of the surface of the front cover 10 which is pressed in by the fingertips forms a button area 15.
  • the button area 15 needs to be simultaneously pressed using several fingers, for example, in order for the user to cause the front cover 10 to deform.
  • a greater pressure is required than when a user uses a single finger to depress a single button provided protruding from the surface of the housing. That is, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment is advantageous in that it is possible to prevent unintended erroneous operation by the user, including erroneous depression of the operation button while the aerosol-generating device 1 is inside a bag.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 is also advantageous in terms of being tamper-proof (child-resistant).
  • the main body housing 20 comprises an opening through which a stick-type substrate is inserted, but this opening is closed off by the shutter 50 in the drawings of fig. 1A and 1B .
  • the shutter 50 has a sliding mechanism capable of moving along the surface of the outer casing between a first position for closing the opening and a second position for opening the opening.
  • opening/closing of the opening may be detected by providing a sensor (not depicted) in the vicinity of the first position and/or the second position.
  • a magnet is disposed on the shutter 50, and opening/closing of the opening is detected by means of a magnetic sensor.
  • the opening is opened by the user sliding the shutter 50 along a side face with a finger.
  • the user can insert the stick-type substrate.
  • the user can then turn on the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 by pressing the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingers to depress the operation button.
  • the display window 60 is formed by a transparent material which transmits light from one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) arranged inside the main body 30, as will be described later.
  • the display device 70 is an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like, which is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60.
  • the display device 70 displays status information, etc. of the main body 30 in the form of text or images.
  • the display device 70 may be a non-transparent display or may be a transparent display.
  • Fig. 2A and 2B are overall perspective views of another example of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment.
  • Fig. 2A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above
  • Fig. 2B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below.
  • the display device 70 was provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10, but in fig. 2A and 2B , the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10.
  • the display device 70 is a transparent display here. In this case, the display window 60 is provided because the light from the LEDs passes through the display window 60 and the user is able to see that light.
  • Fig. 3A and 3B are external appearance views of the front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • Fig. 3A shows an external appearance view of the inside surface of the front cover 10
  • fig. 3B shows an external appearance view of the outside surface of the main body housing 20.
  • a magnet 11, a protrusion 12, a magnet 13, and a magnet 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the front cover 10.
  • the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 are attracted to the main body housing 20 by the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof.
  • the front cover 10 is held on the main body housing 20 by this means.
  • the protrusion 12 depresses an operation button 22 provided on the surface of the main body housing 20.
  • the magnet 13 is constructed as a magnetic field applying portion for applying a magnetic field to a sensor unit of the main body 30. That is to say, a magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 detects the magnetic force of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 to thereby detect the front cover 10.
  • a magnet 21, a through-hole 25, the operation button 22, and a magnet 24 are arranged along the longitudinal direction from the shutter 50 side on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 23 is provided at a position lying between the operation button 22 and the magnet 24 along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 (on a board at substantially zero distance from the inside surface, to be more precise).
  • the magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 correspond to the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14, respectively, of the front cover 10. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23, and magnet 24 are respectively aligned with and facing the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14.
  • the magnet 21 and the magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 are respectively attracted to the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 of the front cover by means of the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof. That is to say, the magnet 11 and magnet 21 and the magnet 14 and magnet 24 are attracted to each other so that the front cover 10 is attachably held on the main body housing 20. It should be noted that the magnet 11 and magnet 14 of the front cover 10 and the magnet 21 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 should be formed by permanent magnets.
  • the operation button 22 is provided on the surface to which the front cover 10 is attached. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the operation button 22 is covered by the front cover 10 and is depressed by means of the protrusion 12 of the front cover 10. This enables the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 to be switched on and off, for example.
  • the magnetic sensor 23 detects a magnetic force based on the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 on the front cover 10.
  • the magnetic sensor 23 should be a Hall sensor configured using a Hall element. This enables attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 to be detected.
  • the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is arranged so as to face the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 with the inside surface of the main body housing 20 interposed, in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, a distance between the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 and the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 is minimized.
  • the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is configured so as not to detect the magnetic fields generated by each of the two magnets 21 and 24 of the main body housing 20.
  • the magnetic sensor 23 should be arranged at a position on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 away from the two magnets 21 and 24 on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. As a result, the magnetic fields from the two magnets 21 and 24 can be made to have substantially zero effect on the magnetic sensor 23.
  • the main body housing 20 should also be configured so that the distance of separation between the magnetic sensor 23 and the magnet 24 (or the magnet 21) is greater than the distance between the magnet 13 and the magnetic sensor 23 in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20.
  • the front cover 10 when attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 is detected, it is possible to appropriately consider only the effect of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13, without taking account of the effect of the magnetic field of the magnet 24.
  • the through-hole 25 is an opening aligned with one or more LEDs disposed inside the main body 30, and allows light from the LEDs to pass through to the display window 60 of the front cover 10. This allows a user to see the light from the outside surface of the front cover 10.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • a stick-type substrate 90 comprising a flavor-generating substrate such as a filling material containing an aerosol source and a flavor source constituting an inhalation component source is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, for example.
  • the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid and may equally be a solid.
  • the inserted stick-type substrate 90 generates an aerosol containing a flavoring as a result of being heated from the outer circumference thereof.
  • the front cover 10 comprises a notification unit 101, a memory unit 102, and a communication unit 103.
  • the notification unit 101 notifies the user of information.
  • the notification unit 101 is configured as the display device 70 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like.
  • the notification unit 101 may notify information using a different notification means from a notification unit 303 of the main body 30, provided that the notification unit 101 notifies information in more detail than the notification unit 303 of the main body 30.
  • the notification unit 303 of the main body 30 is an LED, for example, then the notification unit 101 may notify information in more detail than the LED by using a large number of vibration patterns.
  • the notification unit 101 when the notification unit 101 is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the notification unit 101 may be a non-transparent display, and when the notification unit 101 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the notification unit 101 is a transparent display.
  • the notification unit 101 is an example of the detailed display unit for providing a detailed display.
  • the notification unit 101 is an example of a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body, or an example of a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • the memory unit 102 stores information relating to the front cover 10.
  • the information relating to the front cover 10 includes information indicating whether the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70. Furthermore, when the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70, the information relating to the front cover 10 includes: information indicating the position on the front cover 10 where the display device 70 is provided; and information indicating whether the display device 70 is a transparent display or a non-transparent display.
  • the communication unit 103 uses NFC (near field communication) as a short-range wireless communication standard
  • the memory unit 102 is realized by a memory function such as an NFC tag.
  • NFC tags are tags which comprise an antenna for communication using NFC, and an IC (integrated circuit) chip for performing processing for communication using NFC.
  • the memory unit 102 may be realized by a ROM (read-only memory).
  • the communication unit 103 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any short-range wireless communication standard.
  • NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard.
  • the communication unit 103 is realized by the communication function of an NFC tag.
  • the communication unit 103 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
  • the front cover 10 of this embodiment is an example of a cover which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body.
  • the main body 30 comprises: a control unit 300, a power source unit 301, a sensor unit 302, a notification unit 303, a memory unit 304, a communication unit 305, a holding portion 310, a heating unit 311, and a heat insulating portion 312.
  • the control unit 300 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, controlling all operations within the aerosol-generating device 1 in accordance with various programs.
  • the control unit 300 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
  • the power source unit 301 stores electrical power.
  • the power source unit 301 then supplies the electrical power to each component of the aerosol-generating device 1 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 300.
  • the power source unit 301 may be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.
  • the sensor unit 302 acquires various types of information relating to the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the sensor unit 302 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user.
  • the sensor unit 302 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
  • the sensor unit 302 detects attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20.
  • the sensor unit 302 is configured by the magnetic sensor 23, for example.
  • the sensor unit 302 detects that the front cover 10 comprising the magnetic field applying portion (e.g., a magnet and/or a magnetic body) for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor 23 is in the vicinity of the sensor unit 302.
  • the magnetic field applying portion e.g., a magnet and/or a magnetic body
  • the notification unit 303 notifies the user of information.
  • the notification unit 303 is configured as a display unit comprising a light-emitting element such as an LED, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like.
  • the notification unit 303 may notify information using a different notification means from the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10, provided that the notification unit 303 notifies information more simply than the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10.
  • the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10 is a liquid crystal display, for example, then the notification unit 303 may notify information more simply than the liquid crystal display by using a small number of vibration patterns.
  • the notification unit 303 is an example of the simple display unit for providing a simple display.
  • the LED notifies operating information of the aerosol-generating device 1 using a predetermined mode of light emission, for example. Specifically, the LED emits light in order to present the user with information including: whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is powered on, the state of progress of preheating, the status of inhalation (remaining time for which inhalation is possible, etc.), and the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., inhalation mode and/or communication mode, etc.).
  • a predetermined mode of light emission for example.
  • the LED emits light in order to present the user with information including: whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is powered on, the state of progress of preheating, the status of inhalation (remaining time for which inhalation is possible, etc.), and the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., inhalation mode and/or communication mode, etc.).
  • the memory unit 304 stores various types of information for operation of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the memory unit 304 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example. Furthermore, the memory unit 304 also stores programs such as firmware, in addition to computer-executable instructions for operating the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the communication unit 305 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., for example, may be adopted as the communication standard in the case of wireless communication. Furthermore, a data communication cable is connected through the external connection terminal 80 in the case of wired communication. Data associated with operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 is input/output to/from an external device by this means.
  • the communication function of the communication unit 305 may be activated on opening of an opening 314 by the shutter 50, and the communication unit 305 may start communication with an external terminal by using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. Furthermore, communication with the external terminal may be terminated during communication on closing of the opening 314 by the shutter 50.
  • a Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection between the communication unit 305 and the external terminal may especially be a BLE (Bluetooth low energy) connection.
  • the communication unit 10 is a communication interface capable of performing communication with the front cover 10 in accordance with any short-range wireless communication standard.
  • NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard.
  • the communication unit 305 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
  • the holding portion 310 has an internal space 313, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 90 in the internal space 313.
  • the holding portion 310 has an opening 314 allowing the internal space 313 to communicate with the outside, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 which has been inserted into the internal space 313 from the opening 314.
  • the holding portion 310 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 314 and a bottom portion 315 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 313. It should be noted that, in the present description, a direction of insertion of the stick-type substrate 90 into the internal space 313 is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the holding portion 310 has a pressing portion and a non-pressing portion along the longitudinal direction on an inside wall of the internal space 313.
  • the pressing portion presses the stick-type substrate 90 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • the stick-type substrate 90 is then pinched by the holding portion 310 while being pressed and deformed by the pressing portion.
  • the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference thereof by means of the heating unit 311 while being pressed.
  • a gap (not depicted) is formed between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90.
  • the opening 314 and the bottom portion 315 are joined in communication through the gap by this means.
  • the holding portion 310 also has a function for defining a flow path for air supplied to the stick-type substrate 90.
  • the opening 314 constitutes an air inflow hole 316 which is an inlet for air into this flow path.
  • the gap between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90 constitutes the air inflow hole 316, to be more precise.
  • the air that has flowed in from the air inflow hole 316 as the user inhales passes through the stick-type substrate 90 along the arrows shown by the dotted lines, and is carried to an air outflow hole 317 which is an outlet for the air from the flow path.
  • the stick-type substrate 90 comprises a substrate portion 91 and a mouthpiece portion 92.
  • the substrate portion 91 contains an aerosol source.
  • at least a portion of the substrate portion 91 is accommodated in the internal space 313, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 92 protrudes from the opening 314.
  • the stick-type substrate 90 is an example of a substrate that contains an aerosol source.
  • the heating unit 311 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol.
  • the heating unit 311 is configured in a film shape and disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 310. Then, when the heating unit 311 generates heat, the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated.
  • the heating unit 311 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 301.
  • electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has started inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input.
  • the supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has finished inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input.
  • the heating unit 311 is an example of a heating unit for heating a substrate by means of electrical supply from a power source.
  • the heat insulating portion 312 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 311 to other components.
  • the heat insulating portion 312 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 is of course not limited to the configuration described above and it may have various configurations which are illustrated below.
  • the heating unit 311 may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 313 from the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 311 is inserted into the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 and heats the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 311 may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. Furthermore, the heating unit 311 may be configured by a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the holding portion 310, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 311.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
  • the control unit 300 performs control so that simple information is displayed on the notification unit 303 of the main body 30, and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10.
  • a liquid crystal display will be described as an example of the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10
  • an LED will be described as an example of the notification unit 303 of the main body 30.
  • Fig. 5A and 5B show a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
  • Fig. 5A and 5B are overall perspective views from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A .
  • the display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10, and the display device 70 is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60.
  • the display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30, and the display device 70 is a non-transparent liquid crystal display in this case.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawings. However, the aerosol-generating device 1 does not initially provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to simple information on part of the LED.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 may cause part of the LED to flash, in order to notify the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information.
  • the top LED when multiple LEDs are arranged in a vertical column may be given as an example of "part of the LED".
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 may be configured so that detailed information is displayed by the liquid crystal display simultaneously with the display of simple information by the LED. However, in the description below, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the simple information on the LED, and then displays the detailed information on the liquid crystal display by means of a user operation.
  • LED #8 eight LEDs arranged in one vertical column will be described as an example of the LED, and these eight LEDs will be denoted by LED #8, LED #7,..., LED #1 in order from the top.
  • Fig. 6A and 6B show a first example of the simple information and detailed information.
  • the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90.
  • Fig. 6A shows simple information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90.
  • the simple information is information showing the number of stick-type substrates 90 which have been smoked.
  • the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321a. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322a. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frame.
  • control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 323a. That is to say, the control unit 300 further causes the LED #2 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frame.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 324a, 325a, 326a, 327a, 328a, 329a. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 to light up in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frames.
  • control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example.
  • the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 is not lit up until the state 329a is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 are lit up in another pattern.
  • Fig. 6B shows detailed information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90.
  • the detailed information is information showing a history of smoking of the stick-type substrates 90.
  • the control unit 300 displays a graph 700a indicating a smoking history for one day, as the detailed information.
  • the graph 700a includes a horizontal axis 710a indicating times for one day, and a vertical axis 720a indicating the number of stick-type substrates 90 smoked. Furthermore, for the detailed information, it is assumed that one substrate was smoked at 0800, two substrates were smoked at 1000, one substrate was smoked at 1300, and two substrates were smoked at 1500.
  • a graph element 731a representing one substrate, a graph element 732a representing two substrates, a graph element 733a representing one substrate, and a graph element 734a representing two substrates are respectively displayed at 0800, 1000, 1300 and 1500 on the horizontal axis 710a.
  • the detailed information in fig. 6B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324a in fig. 6A . If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 6A , then detailed information indicating a different history will be displayed.
  • Fig. 7A and 7B show a second example of the simple information and detailed information.
  • the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to charging of the power source unit 301.
  • Fig. 7A shows simple information relating to charging of the power source unit 301.
  • the simple information is information showing the amount of charge in the power source unit 301.
  • the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321b. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322b. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 323b. That is to say, the control unit 300 further causes the LED #2 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 324b, 325b, 326b, 327b, 328b, 329b. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 to flash in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames.
  • control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example.
  • the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 does not flash until the state 329b is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 flash in another pattern.
  • Fig. 7B shows detailed information relating to charging of the power source unit 301.
  • the detailed information is information showing the time until charging of the power source unit 301 is complete.
  • the control unit 300 displays, as the detailed information, a message 700b notifying the time until charging of the power source unit 301 is complete.
  • the message 700b includes a message 710b showing the time until charging is complete.
  • the time until charging is complete may be the time until the amount of charge enables a sufficient number of stick-type substrates 90 to be smoked. That is to say, a state of full charge may be provided separately as a state of charge of the power source unit 301.
  • the message 700b may further comprise a message 720b indicating the time until the power source unit 301 has reached a state of full charge.
  • the detailed information in fig. 7B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324b in fig. 7A . If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 7A , then detailed information indicating a different time will be displayed.
  • Fig. 8A and 8B show a third example of the simple information and detailed information.
  • the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • Fig. 8A shows simple information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • the simple information is information showing the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321c. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322c. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame, and causes the LEDs #2-#8 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frames.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 323c, 324c, 325c. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #2, #3, #4 to flash in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames.
  • the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 326c, 327c, 328c, 329c, each time a fixed time has elapsed That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #5, #6, #7, #8 to flash in succession as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames.
  • the fixed time should be the time until the preheating period has ended once the temperature of the heating unit 311 has reached 295°C, divided by 4.
  • control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example.
  • the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 does not flash until the state 329c is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 flash in another pattern.
  • Fig. 8B shows detailed information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • the detailed information is information showing the heating profile of the heating unit 311.
  • the control unit 300 displays a graph 700c indicating the heating profile of the heating unit 311, as the detailed information.
  • the graph 700c includes: a horizontal axis 710c representing time within the preheating period, and a vertical axis 720c representing the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • the graph 700c includes a graph element 731c showing that the temperature of the heating unit 311 rises linearly until it reaches 295°C, from which point the temperature is maintained for a fixed period.
  • the graph 700c further includes a graph element 732c showing the temperature at the current point in time on the graph element 731c.
  • the detailed information in fig. 8B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324c in fig. 8A . If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 8A , then detailed information indicating a different time will be displayed.
  • Fig. 9A and 9B show a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
  • Fig. 9A and 9B are overall perspective views from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A .
  • the display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10, and the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60.
  • the display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30, and the display device 70 is a transparent liquid crystal display in this case.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawings. However, the aerosol-generating device 1 does not initially provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to simple information on part of the LED.
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 may cause part of the LED to flash, in order to notify the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information.
  • the top LED when multiple LEDs are arranged in a vertical column may be given as an example of "part of the LED".
  • the aerosol-generating device 1 may be configured so that detailed information is displayed by the liquid crystal display simultaneously with the display of simple information by the LED. However, in the description below, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the simple information on the LED, and then displays the detailed information on the liquid crystal display by means of a user operation.
  • Fig. 10 shows an example of the simple information and detailed information displayed in fig. 9B .
  • the simple information and the detailed information are items of information relating to an error occurring in the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • the simple information is information indicating that an error has occurred
  • the detailed information is information indicating a reason, etc. for which the error has occurred.
  • control unit 300 displays, as the simple information, the LEDs #1-#8 within the display window 60 in a pattern commensurate with the error that has occurred.
  • the LEDs #1, #3, #5, #7 are lit up, and the LEDs #2, #4, #6, #8 are turned off.
  • the control unit 300 displays a message 711 inside a speech bubble 710, and displays a message 721 inside a speech bubble 720.
  • the message 711 shows the meaning of the error displayed by the LEDs #1-#8, and the message 721 shows the reason for which this error has occurred.
  • the control unit 300 providing such a display is an example of the control unit which performs control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
  • control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example.
  • Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an operating example of the control unit 300 of the aerosol-generating device 1 of this embodiment.
  • the control unit 300 first of all determines whether display information has been generated (step 351). For example, the control unit 300 determines whether an operation to display information relating to smoking of stick-type substrates 90, an operation to display information relating to charging of the power source unit 301, and/or an operation to display information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311 has been performed. Alternatively, the control unit 300 determines whether an error requiring display of error-related information has occurred. Here, if it is determined that display information has not been generated, the control unit 300 repeats step 351, and if it is determined that display information has been generated, the control unit performs control to display simple information on the LED of the main body 30 (step 352).
  • the control unit 300 determines whether there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information (step 353).
  • the memory unit 304 may store simple information and detailed information for each item of display information, and the control unit 300 may determine, by consulting the memory unit 304, whether there is detailed information corresponding to the display information deemed to have been generated in step 351. If there is deemed to be detailed information corresponding to the simple information here, then the control unit 300 performs control to cause flashing of some of the LEDs of the main body 30 (step 354).
  • the control unit 300 determines whether an operation to display detailed information deemed to be present in step 353 has been performed (step 355). For example, the control unit 300 determines whether an operation to depress the button (not depicted) for displaying detailed information has been performed. Here, if it is determined that an operation to display detailed information has not been performed, the control unit 300 repeats step 355, and if it is determined that an operation to display detailed information has been performed, the control unit performs control to display the detailed information on the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 (step 356).
  • the control unit 300 may perform control so that the detailed information is displayed on the liquid crystal display in association with the simple information of the LED.
  • the control unit 300 should perform the following determination, for example, in order to determine whether the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 is a transparent liquid crystal display which overlaps the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30.
  • the control unit 300 receives, by means of the communication unit 305, information from the communication unit 103 of the front cover 10 which was stored in the memory unit 102 of the front cover 10, including information indicating the position of the liquid crystal display, and information indicating whether the liquid crystal display is transparent or non-transparent. Based on this received information, the control unit 300 then determines whether the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 is a transparent liquid crystal display which overlaps the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30.
  • control unit 300 terminates the processing without displaying detailed information on the liquid crystal display.
  • this embodiment was applied to a heated cigarette was described above, but this is not limiting.
  • This embodiment is applied to various aerosol-generating devices for inhalation of an aerosol, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers.
  • the inhalation component which is generated may also include gases such as an invisible vapor, in addition to an aerosol.
  • This embodiment may further be applied to electronic devices in general, other than aerosol-generating devices.
  • simple information is displayed on the simple display unit, and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit. This makes it possible to provide the user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
  • the present disclosure includes the following features.
  • Aerosol-generating device 10... Front cover, 20... Main body housing, 30... Main body, 40... Housing, 50... Shutter, 60... Display window, 70... Display device, 80... External connection terminal, 101... Notification unit, 102... Memory unit, 103... Communication unit, 300... Control unit, 301... Power source unit, 302... Sensor unit, 303... Notification unit, 304... Memory unit, 305... Communication unit, 310... Holding portion, 311... Heating unit, 312... Heat insulating portion

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is an electronic device comprising a body which includes a simple display unit which executes simple display, a cover which includes a detailed display unit for executing detailed display and does not hide the simple display unit even when the cover is mounted to the body, and a control unit which executes such control that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information obtained by detailing the simple information is displayed on the detailed display unit.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and an aerosol-generating device.
    • BACKGROUND ART
  • PTL 1 discloses an aerosol-generating device which, when an error signal generated by means of a control unit on the basis of data in response to a fault arising in a power source unit is received, outputs light and/or sound, for example, in accordance with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit may be a light-emitting device, such as an LED, for example.
  • PTL 2 discloses an aerosol-generating device in which a control unit generates an error signal based on contents and causes of abnormal states, and a notification unit provides a notification commensurate with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit is, for example, a light-emitting diode.
    • CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE
    • PTL 1 JP 2020-68762 A
    • PTL 2 JP 2020-68690 A
    SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM
  • A cover may be attached to a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display, for the purpose of protection thereof, etc. The cover may then have a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and may not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body. In this case, although it is sufficient to display the simple information on the simple display unit, power is wasted if the simple information is displayed on the detailed display unit. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the simple display unit may not be able to display detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed.
  • The objective of the present disclosure lies in making it possible to provide a user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
    • SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
  • In order to achieve this objective, the present disclosure provides an electronic device comprising: a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  • The control unit may perform control so that the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information is displayed on part of the simple display unit.
  • The detailed display unit may be a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • The detailed display unit may be a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body. In this case, the control unit may perform control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
  • The simple information may be information indicating that an error has occurred, and the detailed information may be information indicating a reason for which the error has occurred.
  • Furthermore, the present disclosure also provides an aerosol-generating device comprising: a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source by means of electrical supply from a power source, and a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  • The simple information may be information indicating a number of substrates smoked, and the detailed information may be information indicating a history of substrate smoking.
  • The power source may be a battery, the simple information may be information indicating an amount of charge of the battery, and the detailed information may be information indicating a time until charging of the battery is complete.
  • The simple information may be information indicating the temperature of the heating unit, and the detailed information may be information indicating a heating profile of the heating unit.
    • ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
  • The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
    • Fig. 1A is an overall perspective view from diagonally above an aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 1B is an overall perspective view from diagonally below the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 2A is an overall perspective view from diagonally above another example of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 2B is an overall perspective view from diagonally below another example of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 3A is an external appearance view of an inside surface of a front cover of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 3B is an external appearance view of an outside surface of the main body housing of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration example of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 5A shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device when a front cover is attached, the front cover having a liquid crystal display provided at a position not overlapping an LED when the front cover is attached to the main body.
    • Fig. 5B shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device when a front cover is attached, the front cover having a liquid crystal display provided at a position not overlapping an LED when the front cover is attached to the main body.
    • Fig. 6A shows a first example of simple information.
    • Fig. 6B shows a first example of detailed information.
    • Fig. 7A shows a second example of simple information.
    • Fig. 7B shows a second example of detailed information.
    • Fig. 8A shows a third example of simple information.
    • Fig. 8B shows a third example of detailed information.
    • Fig. 9A shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device when a front cover is attached, the front cover having a liquid crystal display provided at a position overlapping an LED when the front cover is attached to the main body.
    • Fig. 9B shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device when a front cover is attached, the front cover having a liquid crystal display provided at a position overlapping an LED when the front cover is attached to the main body.
    • Fig. 10 shows an example of simple information and detailed information displayed in fig. 9B.
    • Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an operating example of a control unit of the aerosol-generating device of the embodiment.
    DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings.
    • External appearance configuration example of aerosol-generating device
  • Fig. 1A and 1B are overall perspective views of an aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above, and Fig. 1B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below. As illustrated, the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a front cover 10, a main body housing 20 to/from which the front cover 10 can be attached/detached, and a shutter 50. The front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 are constructed as separate members. The front cover 10 comprises a display window 60 and a display device 70 on a surface thereof. It should be noted that each type of front cover 10 may be constructed using designs with different patterns and colors on the outside surface thereof, and using different materials, etc. A user may appropriately select a front cover of a type matching their preference. The main body housing 20 accommodates a main body 30 of the aerosol-generating device 1. Furthermore, the main body housing 20 comprises an external connection terminal 80 such as a USB (universal serial bus) type-C connector.
  • The front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to configure an outermost housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 1. By attaching a front cover 10 having a design matching the user's preference, the aerosol-generating device 1 can be made more fashionable. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises the front cover 10, so that even if the main body 30 generates heat, the heat released to the outside can be mitigated. That is to say, the front cover 10 functions to provide insulation from heat generated by a heating unit of the main body 30. The front cover 10 is also formed so that the surface thereof is roughly a curved surface. When the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the front cover 10 then defines an internal space together with the surface of the main body housing 20.
  • The housing 40 should be of a size that fits in the user's hand. The user holds the aerosol-generating device 1 in one hand, with fingertips in contact with the surface of the front cover 10. Furthermore, by pressing on the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingertips, the user can make the front cover 10 deform so as to indent toward the main body housing 20. As a result of such deformation of the front cover 10, a protrusion provided on the front cover 10 comes into contact with an operation button provided on the surface of the main body housing 20, and the operation button is thereby depressed. That is to say, the part of the surface of the front cover 10 which is pressed in by the fingertips forms a button area 15.
  • It should be noted that the button area 15 needs to be simultaneously pressed using several fingers, for example, in order for the user to cause the front cover 10 to deform. For example, a greater pressure is required than when a user uses a single finger to depress a single button provided protruding from the surface of the housing. That is, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment is advantageous in that it is possible to prevent unintended erroneous operation by the user, including erroneous depression of the operation button while the aerosol-generating device 1 is inside a bag. Also, because the button area 15 of the front cover 10 cannot be easily pushed in by the pressing force of children, who are unsuitable as users of the aerosol-generating device 1, the aerosol-generating device 1 is also advantageous in terms of being tamper-proof (child-resistant).
  • The main body housing 20 comprises an opening through which a stick-type substrate is inserted, but this opening is closed off by the shutter 50 in the drawings of fig. 1A and 1B. The shutter 50 has a sliding mechanism capable of moving along the surface of the outer casing between a first position for closing the opening and a second position for opening the opening. Moreover, opening/closing of the opening may be detected by providing a sensor (not depicted) in the vicinity of the first position and/or the second position. For example, a magnet is disposed on the shutter 50, and opening/closing of the opening is detected by means of a magnetic sensor.
  • The opening is opened by the user sliding the shutter 50 along a side face with a finger. As a result of the opening being opened, the user can insert the stick-type substrate. After inserting the stick-type substrate, the user can then turn on the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 by pressing the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingers to depress the operation button.
  • The display window 60 is formed by a transparent material which transmits light from one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) arranged inside the main body 30, as will be described later.
  • The display device 70 is an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like, which is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60. The display device 70 displays status information, etc. of the main body 30 in the form of text or images. The display device 70 may be a non-transparent display or may be a transparent display.
  • Fig. 2A and 2B are overall perspective views of another example of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above, and Fig. 2B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below. In fig. 1A and 1B, the display device 70 was provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10, but in fig. 2A and 2B, the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10. The display device 70 is a transparent display here. In this case, the display window 60 is provided because the light from the LEDs passes through the display window 60 and the user is able to see that light.
    • External appearance configuration examples of front cover and main body housing
  • Fig. 3A and 3B are external appearance views of the front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 1. Fig. 3A shows an external appearance view of the inside surface of the front cover 10, and fig. 3B shows an external appearance view of the outside surface of the main body housing 20. When the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the inside surface of the front cover 10 and the outside surface of the main body housing 20 are facing each other.
  • As shown in fig. 3A, a magnet 11, a protrusion 12, a magnet 13, and a magnet 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the front cover 10. When the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 are attracted to the main body housing 20 by the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof. The front cover 10 is held on the main body housing 20 by this means. The protrusion 12 depresses an operation button 22 provided on the surface of the main body housing 20. The magnet 13 is constructed as a magnetic field applying portion for applying a magnetic field to a sensor unit of the main body 30. That is to say, a magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 detects the magnetic force of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 to thereby detect the front cover 10.
  • As shown in fig. 3B, a magnet 21, a through-hole 25, the operation button 22, and a magnet 24 are arranged along the longitudinal direction from the shutter 50 side on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 23 is provided at a position lying between the operation button 22 and the magnet 24 along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 (on a board at substantially zero distance from the inside surface, to be more precise). The magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 correspond to the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14, respectively, of the front cover 10. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23, and magnet 24 are respectively aligned with and facing the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14.
  • The magnet 21 and the magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 are respectively attracted to the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 of the front cover by means of the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof. That is to say, the magnet 11 and magnet 21 and the magnet 14 and magnet 24 are attracted to each other so that the front cover 10 is attachably held on the main body housing 20. It should be noted that the magnet 11 and magnet 14 of the front cover 10 and the magnet 21 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 should be formed by permanent magnets.
  • The operation button 22 is provided on the surface to which the front cover 10 is attached. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the operation button 22 is covered by the front cover 10 and is depressed by means of the protrusion 12 of the front cover 10. This enables the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 to be switched on and off, for example.
  • The magnetic sensor 23 detects a magnetic force based on the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 on the front cover 10. For example, the magnetic sensor 23 should be a Hall sensor configured using a Hall element. This enables attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 to be detected.
  • The magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is arranged so as to face the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 with the inside surface of the main body housing 20 interposed, in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, a distance between the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 and the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 is minimized.
  • Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is configured so as not to detect the magnetic fields generated by each of the two magnets 21 and 24 of the main body housing 20. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 23 should be arranged at a position on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 away from the two magnets 21 and 24 on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. As a result, the magnetic fields from the two magnets 21 and 24 can be made to have substantially zero effect on the magnetic sensor 23.
  • The main body housing 20 should also be configured so that the distance of separation between the magnetic sensor 23 and the magnet 24 (or the magnet 21) is greater than the distance between the magnet 13 and the magnetic sensor 23 in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. Thus, when attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 is detected, it is possible to appropriately consider only the effect of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13, without taking account of the effect of the magnetic field of the magnet 24.
  • The through-hole 25 is an opening aligned with one or more LEDs disposed inside the main body 30, and allows light from the LEDs to pass through to the display window 60 of the front cover 10. This allows a user to see the light from the outside surface of the front cover 10.
    • Internal configuration example of aerosol-generating device
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 1. A stick-type substrate 90 comprising a flavor-generating substrate such as a filling material containing an aerosol source and a flavor source constituting an inhalation component source is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, for example. It should be noted that the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid and may equally be a solid. The inserted stick-type substrate 90 generates an aerosol containing a flavoring as a result of being heated from the outer circumference thereof.
  • As shown in fig. 4, the front cover 10 comprises a notification unit 101, a memory unit 102, and a communication unit 103.
  • The notification unit 101 notifies the user of information. In this embodiment, the notification unit 101 is configured as the display device 70 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like. The notification unit 101 may notify information using a different notification means from a notification unit 303 of the main body 30, provided that the notification unit 101 notifies information in more detail than the notification unit 303 of the main body 30. When the notification unit 303 of the main body 30 is an LED, for example, then the notification unit 101 may notify information in more detail than the LED by using a large number of vibration patterns. Furthermore, when the notification unit 101 is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the notification unit 101 may be a non-transparent display, and when the notification unit 101 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the notification unit 101 is a transparent display. The notification unit 101 is an example of the detailed display unit for providing a detailed display. Furthermore, the notification unit 101 is an example of a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body, or an example of a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  • The memory unit 102 stores information relating to the front cover 10. The information relating to the front cover 10 includes information indicating whether the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70. Furthermore, when the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70, the information relating to the front cover 10 includes: information indicating the position on the front cover 10 where the display device 70 is provided; and information indicating whether the display device 70 is a transparent display or a non-transparent display. When the communication unit 103 uses NFC (near field communication) as a short-range wireless communication standard, the memory unit 102 is realized by a memory function such as an NFC tag. NFC tags are tags which comprise an antenna for communication using NFC, and an IC (integrated circuit) chip for performing processing for communication using NFC. Alternatively, the memory unit 102 may be realized by a ROM (read-only memory).
  • The communication unit 103 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any short-range wireless communication standard. NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard. When NFC is used as the short-range wireless communication standard, the communication unit 103 is realized by the communication function of an NFC tag. Alternatively, the communication unit 103 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
  • The front cover 10 of this embodiment is an example of a cover which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body.
  • Furthermore, the main body 30 comprises: a control unit 300, a power source unit 301, a sensor unit 302, a notification unit 303, a memory unit 304, a communication unit 305, a holding portion 310, a heating unit 311, and a heat insulating portion 312.
  • The control unit 300 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, controlling all operations within the aerosol-generating device 1 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 300 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
  • The power source unit 301 stores electrical power. The power source unit 301 then supplies the electrical power to each component of the aerosol-generating device 1 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 300. The power source unit 301 may be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.
  • The sensor unit 302 acquires various types of information relating to the aerosol-generating device 1. As an example, the sensor unit 302 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user. As another example, the sensor unit 302 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
  • Furthermore, the sensor unit 302 detects attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20. The sensor unit 302 is configured by the magnetic sensor 23, for example. The sensor unit 302 then detects that the front cover 10 comprising the magnetic field applying portion (e.g., a magnet and/or a magnetic body) for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor 23 is in the vicinity of the sensor unit 302.
  • The notification unit 303 notifies the user of information. In this embodiment, the notification unit 303 is configured as a display unit comprising a light-emitting element such as an LED, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like. The notification unit 303 may notify information using a different notification means from the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10, provided that the notification unit 303 notifies information more simply than the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10. When the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10 is a liquid crystal display, for example, then the notification unit 303 may notify information more simply than the liquid crystal display by using a small number of vibration patterns. The notification unit 303 is an example of the simple display unit for providing a simple display.
  • Moreover, the LED notifies operating information of the aerosol-generating device 1 using a predetermined mode of light emission, for example. Specifically, the LED emits light in order to present the user with information including: whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is powered on, the state of progress of preheating, the status of inhalation (remaining time for which inhalation is possible, etc.), and the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., inhalation mode and/or communication mode, etc.).
  • The memory unit 304 stores various types of information for operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. The memory unit 304 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example. Furthermore, the memory unit 304 also stores programs such as firmware, in addition to computer-executable instructions for operating the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • The communication unit 305 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., for example, may be adopted as the communication standard in the case of wireless communication. Furthermore, a data communication cable is connected through the external connection terminal 80 in the case of wired communication. Data associated with operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 is input/output to/from an external device by this means.
  • Moreover, the communication function of the communication unit 305 may be activated on opening of an opening 314 by the shutter 50, and the communication unit 305 may start communication with an external terminal by using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. Furthermore, communication with the external terminal may be terminated during communication on closing of the opening 314 by the shutter 50. A Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection between the communication unit 305 and the external terminal may especially be a BLE (Bluetooth low energy) connection.
  • Furthermore, the communication unit 10 is a communication interface capable of performing communication with the front cover 10 in accordance with any short-range wireless communication standard. NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard. Alternatively, the communication unit 305 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
  • The holding portion 310 has an internal space 313, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 90 in the internal space 313. The holding portion 310 has an opening 314 allowing the internal space 313 to communicate with the outside, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 which has been inserted into the internal space 313 from the opening 314. For example, the holding portion 310 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 314 and a bottom portion 315 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 313. It should be noted that, in the present description, a direction of insertion of the stick-type substrate 90 into the internal space 313 is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device 1.
  • The holding portion 310 has a pressing portion and a non-pressing portion along the longitudinal direction on an inside wall of the internal space 313. When the internal space 313 receives the stick-type substrate 90, the pressing portion presses the stick-type substrate 90 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The stick-type substrate 90 is then pinched by the holding portion 310 while being pressed and deformed by the pressing portion. As a result, the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference thereof by means of the heating unit 311 while being pressed.
  • Meanwhile, a gap (not depicted) is formed between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90. The opening 314 and the bottom portion 315 are joined in communication through the gap by this means.
  • The holding portion 310 also has a function for defining a flow path for air supplied to the stick-type substrate 90. The opening 314 constitutes an air inflow hole 316 which is an inlet for air into this flow path. The gap between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90 constitutes the air inflow hole 316, to be more precise. The air that has flowed in from the air inflow hole 316 as the user inhales passes through the stick-type substrate 90 along the arrows shown by the dotted lines, and is carried to an air outflow hole 317 which is an outlet for the air from the flow path.
  • The stick-type substrate 90 comprises a substrate portion 91 and a mouthpiece portion 92. The substrate portion 91 contains an aerosol source. In a state in which the stick-type substrate 90 is being held in the holding portion 310, at least a portion of the substrate portion 91 is accommodated in the internal space 313, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 92 protrudes from the opening 314. Then, when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 92 protruding from the opening 314 in their mouth and inhales, the air flows into the internal space 313 from the air inflow hole 316, is carried to the air outflow hole 317 in the mouthpiece portion 92 via the bottom portion 315 along the arrows shown by the dotted lines, and reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 91. The stick-type substrate 90 is an example of a substrate that contains an aerosol source.
  • The heating unit 311 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol. The heating unit 311 is configured in a film shape and disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 310. Then, when the heating unit 311 generates heat, the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 311 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 301. By way of example, electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has started inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has finished inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input. The heating unit 311 is an example of a heating unit for heating a substrate by means of electrical supply from a power source.
  • The heat insulating portion 312 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 311 to other components. For example, the heat insulating portion 312 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
  • A configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 1 was described above. The aerosol-generating device 1 is of course not limited to the configuration described above and it may have various configurations which are illustrated below.
  • As one example, the heating unit 311 may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 313 from the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 311 is inserted into the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 and heats the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 311 may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. Furthermore, the heating unit 311 may be configured by a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the holding portion 310, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310.
  • Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 311. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
    • Summary of display control in aerosol-generating device
  • In this embodiment of the aerosol-generating device 1, the control unit 300 performs control so that simple information is displayed on the notification unit 303 of the main body 30, and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10. It should be noted that, in the following, a liquid crystal display will be described as an example of the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10, and an LED will be described as an example of the notification unit 303 of the main body 30.
    • Specific example of display of aerosol-generating device
  • A description will be given first of all of a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when the front cover 10 is attached, the front cover 10 having a liquid crystal display provided at a position not overlapping the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30.
  • Fig. 5A and 5B show a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case. Fig. 5A and 5B are overall perspective views from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A. The display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10, and the display device 70 is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60. The display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30, and the display device 70 is a non-transparent liquid crystal display in this case. The aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawings. However, the aerosol-generating device 1 does not initially provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig. 5A where there is no diagonal hatching within the display device 70. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to simple information on part of the LED. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may cause part of the LED to flash, in order to notify the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information. The top LED when multiple LEDs are arranged in a vertical column may be given as an example of "part of the LED". When the user depresses a button (not depicted) in this state, the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig. 5B.
  • It should be noted that the aerosol-generating device 1 may be configured so that detailed information is displayed by the liquid crystal display simultaneously with the display of simple information by the LED. However, in the description below, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the simple information on the LED, and then displays the detailed information on the liquid crystal display by means of a user operation.
  • Specific examples of the simple information and the detailed information will be described here. It should be noted that, in the following, eight LEDs arranged in one vertical column will be described as an example of the LED, and these eight LEDs will be denoted by LED #8, LED #7,..., LED #1 in order from the top.
  • Fig. 6A and 6B show a first example of the simple information and detailed information. In the first example, the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90.
  • Fig. 6A shows simple information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90. Here, the simple information is information showing the number of stick-type substrates 90 which have been smoked.
  • As depicted, the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321a. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • In this state, when the user performs an operation to display the number of substrates smoked, display of the number of substrates smoked is started. When two stick-type substrates 90 are then smoked, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322a. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frame.
  • Furthermore, when a further two stick-type substrates 90 are smoked, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 323a. That is to say, the control unit 300 further causes the LED #2 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frame.
  • After this, each time two stick-type substrates 90 are smoked, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 324a, 325a, 326a, 327a, 328a, 329a. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 to light up in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frames.
  • It should be noted that a display showing the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information has not been mentioned here, but the control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example. Although the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 is not lit up until the state 329a is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 are lit up in another pattern.
  • Fig. 6B shows detailed information relating to smoking of the stick-type substrate 90. Here, the detailed information is information showing a history of smoking of the stick-type substrates 90.
  • As depicted, the control unit 300 displays a graph 700a indicating a smoking history for one day, as the detailed information. The graph 700a includes a horizontal axis 710a indicating times for one day, and a vertical axis 720a indicating the number of stick-type substrates 90 smoked. Furthermore, for the detailed information, it is assumed that one substrate was smoked at 0800, two substrates were smoked at 1000, one substrate was smoked at 1300, and two substrates were smoked at 1500. Accordingly, in the graph 700a, a graph element 731a representing one substrate, a graph element 732a representing two substrates, a graph element 733a representing one substrate, and a graph element 734a representing two substrates are respectively displayed at 0800, 1000, 1300 and 1500 on the horizontal axis 710a.
  • It should be noted that only detailed information indicating the history of smoking at a given time is shown here. Specifically, the detailed information in fig. 6B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324a in fig. 6A. If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 6A, then detailed information indicating a different history will be displayed.
  • Fig. 7A and 7B show a second example of the simple information and detailed information. In the second example, the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to charging of the power source unit 301.
  • Fig. 7A shows simple information relating to charging of the power source unit 301. Here, the simple information is information showing the amount of charge in the power source unit 301.
  • As depicted, the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321b. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • In this state, charging of the power source unit 301 is started when the user inserts the USB cable into the external connection terminal 80. When the amount of charge in the power source unit 301 then reaches 12.5%, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322b. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame.
  • Furthermore, when the amount of charge in the power source unit 301 reaches 25%, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 323b. That is to say, the control unit 300 further causes the LED #2 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame.
  • After this, each time the amount of charge in the power source unit 301 increases by 12.5%, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 324b, 325b, 326b, 327b, 328b, 329b. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 to flash in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames.
  • It should be noted that a display showing the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information has not been mentioned here, but the control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example. Although the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 does not flash until the state 329b is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 flash in another pattern.
  • Fig. 7B shows detailed information relating to charging of the power source unit 301. Here, the detailed information is information showing the time until charging of the power source unit 301 is complete.
  • As depicted, the control unit 300 displays, as the detailed information, a message 700b notifying the time until charging of the power source unit 301 is complete. The message 700b includes a message 710b showing the time until charging is complete. Here, the time until charging is complete may be the time until the amount of charge enables a sufficient number of stick-type substrates 90 to be smoked. That is to say, a state of full charge may be provided separately as a state of charge of the power source unit 301. Accordingly, the message 700b may further comprise a message 720b indicating the time until the power source unit 301 has reached a state of full charge.
  • It should be noted that only detailed information indicating the time until charging is complete at a given point in time is shown here. Specifically, the detailed information in fig. 7B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324b in fig. 7A. If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 7A, then detailed information indicating a different time will be displayed.
  • Fig. 8A and 8B show a third example of the simple information and detailed information. In the third example, the simple information and detailed information are items of information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • Fig. 8A shows simple information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311. Here, the simple information is information showing the temperature of the heating unit 311.
  • As depicted, the display of the LEDs #1-#8 is initially as in the state 321c. That is, the LEDs #1-#8 are turned off so that white spaces are shown inside the thin solid line frames.
  • In this state, preheating by means of the heating unit 311 is started when the user makes a long press on the button area 15. If the temperature of the heating unit 311 does not then reach 250°C, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the state 322c. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LED #1 to flash as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frame, and causes the LEDs #2-#8 to light up as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick solid line frames.
  • Furthermore, when the temperature of the heating unit 311 reaches 250°C, 265°C, 280°C, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 323c, 324c, 325c. That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #2, #3, #4 to flash in succession, as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames.
  • After this, when the temperature of the heating unit 311 reaches 295°C, the control unit 300 changes the display of the LEDs #1-#8 as in the states 326c, 327c, 328c, 329c, each time a fixed time has elapsed That is to say, the control unit 300 causes the LEDs #5, #6, #7, #8 to flash in succession as shown by the dot hatching inside the thick broken line frames. Here, the fixed time should be the time until the preheating period has ended once the temperature of the heating unit 311 has reached 295°C, divided by 4.
  • It should be noted that a display showing the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information has not been mentioned here, but the control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example. Although the LED #8 is used here because the LED #8 does not flash until the state 329c is reached, another LED may be used if the LEDs #1-#8 flash in another pattern.
  • Fig. 8B shows detailed information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311. Here, the detailed information is information showing the heating profile of the heating unit 311.
  • As depicted, the control unit 300 displays a graph 700c indicating the heating profile of the heating unit 311, as the detailed information. The graph 700c includes: a horizontal axis 710c representing time within the preheating period, and a vertical axis 720c representing the temperature of the heating unit 311. Furthermore, the graph 700c includes a graph element 731c showing that the temperature of the heating unit 311 rises linearly until it reaches 295°C, from which point the temperature is maintained for a fixed period. The graph 700c further includes a graph element 732c showing the temperature at the current point in time on the graph element 731c.
  • It should be noted that only detailed information indicating the temperature of the heating unit 311 at a given time is shown here. Specifically, the detailed information in fig. 8B is detailed information which is displayed as a result of the user depressing a button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes the state 324c in fig. 8A. If the user depresses the button (not depicted) when the simple information constitutes another state in fig. 8A, then detailed information indicating a different time will be displayed.
  • A description will be given next of a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when the front cover 10 is attached, the front cover 10 having a liquid crystal display provided at a position overlapping the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30.
  • Fig. 9A and 9B show a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case. Fig. 9A and 9B are overall perspective views from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A. The display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10, and the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60. The display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30, and the display device 70 is a transparent liquid crystal display in this case. The aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawings. However, the aerosol-generating device 1 does not initially provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig. 9A where there is no diagonal hatching within the display device 70. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to simple information on part of the LED. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may cause part of the LED to flash, in order to notify the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information. The top LED when multiple LEDs are arranged in a vertical column may be given as an example of "part of the LED". When the user depresses a button (not depicted) in this state, the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown in fig. 9B.
  • It should be noted that the aerosol-generating device 1 may be configured so that detailed information is displayed by the liquid crystal display simultaneously with the display of simple information by the LED. However, in the description below, the aerosol-generating device 1 displays the simple information on the LED, and then displays the detailed information on the liquid crystal display by means of a user operation.
  • Specific examples of the simple information and the detailed information shown in fig. 9B will be described here. It should be noted that, in the following also, eight LEDs arranged in one vertical column will be described as an example of the LED, and these eight LEDs will be denoted by LED #8, LED #7,..., LED #1 in order from the top.
  • Fig. 10 shows an example of the simple information and detailed information displayed in fig. 9B. In this example, the simple information and the detailed information are items of information relating to an error occurring in the aerosol-generating device 1. Here, the simple information is information indicating that an error has occurred, and the detailed information is information indicating a reason, etc. for which the error has occurred.
  • As depicted, the control unit 300 displays, as the simple information, the LEDs #1-#8 within the display window 60 in a pattern commensurate with the error that has occurred. Here, the LEDs #1, #3, #5, #7 are lit up, and the LEDs #2, #4, #6, #8 are turned off.
  • Furthermore, as the detailed information, the control unit 300 displays a message 711 inside a speech bubble 710, and displays a message 721 inside a speech bubble 720. The message 711 shows the meaning of the error displayed by the LEDs #1-#8, and the message 721 shows the reason for which this error has occurred. The control unit 300 providing such a display is an example of the control unit which performs control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
  • It should be noted that a display showing the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information has not been mentioned here, but the control unit 300 may provide such a display by causing the LED #8 to flash rapidly, for example.
    • Details of operation of the aerosol-generating device
  • Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an operating example of the control unit 300 of the aerosol-generating device 1 of this embodiment.
  • As depicted, the control unit 300 first of all determines whether display information has been generated (step 351). For example, the control unit 300 determines whether an operation to display information relating to smoking of stick-type substrates 90, an operation to display information relating to charging of the power source unit 301, and/or an operation to display information relating to the temperature of the heating unit 311 has been performed. Alternatively, the control unit 300 determines whether an error requiring display of error-related information has occurred. Here, if it is determined that display information has not been generated, the control unit 300 repeats step 351, and if it is determined that display information has been generated, the control unit performs control to display simple information on the LED of the main body 30 (step 352).
  • The control unit 300 then determines whether there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information (step 353). For example, the memory unit 304 may store simple information and detailed information for each item of display information, and the control unit 300 may determine, by consulting the memory unit 304, whether there is detailed information corresponding to the display information deemed to have been generated in step 351. If there is deemed to be detailed information corresponding to the simple information here, then the control unit 300 performs control to cause flashing of some of the LEDs of the main body 30 (step 354).
  • The control unit 300 then determines whether an operation to display detailed information deemed to be present in step 353 has been performed (step 355). For example, the control unit 300 determines whether an operation to depress the button (not depicted) for displaying detailed information has been performed. Here, if it is determined that an operation to display detailed information has not been performed, the control unit 300 repeats step 355, and if it is determined that an operation to display detailed information has been performed, the control unit performs control to display the detailed information on the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 (step 356).
  • Here, if the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 is a transparent liquid crystal display which overlaps the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30, the control unit 300 may perform control so that the detailed information is displayed on the liquid crystal display in association with the simple information of the LED. Here, the control unit 300 should perform the following determination, for example, in order to determine whether the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 is a transparent liquid crystal display which overlaps the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30. That is to say, the control unit 300 receives, by means of the communication unit 305, information from the communication unit 103 of the front cover 10 which was stored in the memory unit 102 of the front cover 10, including information indicating the position of the liquid crystal display, and information indicating whether the liquid crystal display is transparent or non-transparent. Based on this received information, the control unit 300 then determines whether the liquid crystal display of the front cover 10 is a transparent liquid crystal display which overlaps the LED when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body 30.
  • Meanwhile, if there is deemed to be no detailed information corresponding to the simple information in step 353, the control unit 300 terminates the processing without displaying detailed information on the liquid crystal display.
    • Variant examples
  • A case in which this embodiment was applied to a heated cigarette was described above, but this is not limiting. This embodiment is applied to various aerosol-generating devices for inhalation of an aerosol, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers. Furthermore, the inhalation component which is generated may also include gases such as an invisible vapor, in addition to an aerosol. This embodiment may further be applied to electronic devices in general, other than aerosol-generating devices.
    • Advantageous effects of the embodiment
  • In the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment, simple information is displayed on the simple display unit, and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit. This makes it possible to provide the user with simple information in a limited power state, and also to provide the user with detailed information.
    • Summary
  • The present disclosure includes the following features.
    1. (1) An electronic device comprising: a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
    2. (2) The electronic device as disclosed in (1), wherein the control unit performs control so that the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information is displayed on part of the simple display unit.
    3. (3) The electronic device as disclosed in (1) or (2), wherein the detailed display unit is a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
    4. (4) The electronic device as disclosed in (1) or (2), wherein the detailed display unit is a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
    5. (5) The electronic device as disclosed in (4), wherein the control unit performs control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
    6. (6) The electronic device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the simple information is information indicating that an error has occurred, and
      the detailed information is information indicating a reason for which the error has occurred.
    7. (7) An aerosol-generating device comprising: a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source by means of electrical supply from a power source, and a simple display unit for providing a simple display; a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
    8. (8) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (7), wherein the simple information is information indicating a number of substrates smoked, and the detailed information is information indicating a history of substrate smoking.
    9. (9) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (7), wherein the power source is a battery, the simple information is information indicating an amount of charge of the battery, and the detailed information is information indicating a time until charging of the battery is complete.
    10. (10) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (7), wherein the simple information is information indicating the temperature of the heating unit, and the detailed information is information indicating a heating profile of the heating unit.
    REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
  • 1... Aerosol-generating device, 10... Front cover, 20... Main body housing, 30... Main body, 40... Housing, 50... Shutter, 60... Display window, 70... Display device, 80... External connection terminal, 101... Notification unit, 102... Memory unit, 103... Communication unit, 300... Control unit, 301... Power source unit, 302... Sensor unit, 303... Notification unit, 304... Memory unit, 305... Communication unit, 310... Holding portion, 311... Heating unit, 312... Heat insulating portion

Claims (10)

  1. An electronic device comprising: a main body having a simple display unit for providing a simple display;
    a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and
    a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that the fact that there is detailed information corresponding to the simple information is displayed on part of the simple display unit.
  3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the detailed display unit is a non-transparent display which is provided at a position not overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the detailed display unit is a transparent display which is provided at a position overlapping the simple display unit when the cover is attached to the main body.
  5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit performs control so that the detailed information is displayed on the detailed display unit in association with the simple information displayed on the simple display unit.
  6. The electronic device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the simple information is information indicating that an error has occurred, and
    the detailed information is information indicating a reason for which the error has occurred.
  7. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source by means of electrical supply from a power source, and a simple display unit for providing a simple display;
    a cover which has a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and which does not conceal the simple display unit even when the cover is attached to the main body; and
    a control unit for performing control so that simple information is displayed on the simple display unit and detailed information, which is obtained by making the simple information more detailed, is displayed on the detailed display unit.
  8. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the simple information is information indicating a number of substrates smoked, and
    the detailed information is information indicating a history of substrate smoking.
  9. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the power source is a battery,
    the simple information is information indicating an amount of charge of the battery, and
    the detailed information is information indicating a time until charging of the battery is complete.
  10. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the simple information is information indicating the temperature of the heating unit, and
    the detailed information is information indicating a heating profile of the heating unit.
EP22968373.5A 2022-12-12 2022-12-12 Electronic device and aerosol generation device Pending EP4635346A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2022/045671 WO2024127461A1 (en) 2022-12-12 2022-12-12 Electronic device and aerosol generation device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4635346A1 true EP4635346A1 (en) 2025-10-22

Family

ID=91484497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22968373.5A Pending EP4635346A1 (en) 2022-12-12 2022-12-12 Electronic device and aerosol generation device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4635346A1 (en)
JP (1) JPWO2024127461A1 (en)
KR (1) KR20250099744A (en)
WO (1) WO2024127461A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2020068690A (en) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Power supply unit of aerosol generation device, control method of power supply unit of aerosol generation device, and program for power supply unit of aerosol generation device
JP2020068762A (en) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Power supply unit of aerosol generation device, control method, program, and power supply unit of inhaler

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009301485A (en) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-24 Olympus Corp Information display system and portable information terminal therewith
HUE055814T2 (en) * 2010-08-24 2021-12-28 Jt Int Sa Inhalation device with substance use control
KR20160058565A (en) * 2014-11-17 2016-05-25 이도환 Electronic cigarette smoking information indicating

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2020068690A (en) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Power supply unit of aerosol generation device, control method of power supply unit of aerosol generation device, and program for power supply unit of aerosol generation device
JP2020068762A (en) 2018-10-30 2020-05-07 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Power supply unit of aerosol generation device, control method, program, and power supply unit of inhaler

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2024127461A1

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPWO2024127461A1 (en) 2024-06-20
KR20250099744A (en) 2025-07-02
WO2024127461A1 (en) 2024-06-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2025089567A (en) Inhalation device, notification method, and program
CN115697111A (en) Suction device, method, and program
US20230114675A1 (en) Display device, inhaler device, display method, and program
EP4635346A1 (en) Electronic device and aerosol generation device
JP7764557B2 (en) Suction device, display method, and program
EP4635345A1 (en) Electronic device and aerosol generation device
JP7464771B2 (en) Suction device
EP4573944A1 (en) Inhalation device, control method, and program
EP4635328A1 (en) Power source unit for aerosol generation device, and aerosol generation device
EP4573945A1 (en) Inhalation device, control method, and program
JP7692052B2 (en) suction device
EP4635330A1 (en) Power supply unit for aerosol generation device, and aerosol generation device
EA050438B1 (en) INHALATION DEVICE, DISPLAY DEVICE, DISPLAY METHOD AND PROGRAM
CN119698243A (en) Attraction device, control method and program

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20250611

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR